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Find Kentucky Criminal Records

Are Criminal Records Public in Kentucky?

Yes. Kentucky criminal records are accessible to the public under the Kentucky Open Records Act. Interested individuals can inspect or obtain copies of these records by submitting a request to the record custodian. However, some criminal records may be restricted from public access by law or court order. To receive these records, requesters typically must provide:

The subject’s full name, unless the subject is a juvenile.
The subject’s last known location, including cities, counties, and states.

Criminal records can also be accessed through third-party websites, which sometimes offer broader geographic availability.

What Constitutes a Criminal Record in Kentucky?

A criminal record in Kentucky, also known as a rap sheet, documents an individual’s criminal history within the state. These records are compiled from local, county, and state jurisdictions and courts, as well as state correctional facilities. Criminal records are the most comprehensive among police records, which also include arrest records, arrest warrants, incident reports, and police logs.

What Information Is Included in Kentucky Criminal Record?

Full name of the subject (including any aliases)
Photograph/mugshot and unique physical identifiers
Full date of birth
Full set of fingerprints
Current and former addresses
Past, pending, and most current arrests, warrants, and indictments
Conviction and incarceration history
Post-conviction status

How To Check Criminal Records in Kentucky

Kentucky criminal records are issued by the state judiciary, with the clerk of courts serving as the custodian. These records can be obtained online, in person, or by mail. Online requests are made through the FastCheck portal, where users must create an account and pay a $25.00 fee plus a $2.5 processing fee. In-person requests can be made at the Administrative Office of the Courts, also for a $25.00 fee. Mail requests require a completed request form and payment by check or money order.

Are Arrest Records Public in Kentucky?

Yes. Kentucky arrest records are public information. These records can be requested from the arresting agency, typically the Sheriff’s Department or city police department, in the county or city where the arrest occurred. The agency must release the public arrest record unless there are statutory or security reasons to restrict access. Requesters must pay copy fees for the arrest records.

What Are Arrest Warrants in Kentucky?

A Kentucky arrest warrant is an official document authorizing law enforcement to arrest or detain the individual named in the warrant. Issued and signed by a judge or magistrate, the warrant is granted after the arresting officer demonstrates probable cause. Kentucky does not have a central database for arrest warrants; individuals must check active warrants through the arresting agency’s website.

How To Lookup Mugshots in Kentucky

Mugshots are photographic portraits taken during an individual’s booking into a detention facility. They are publicly available under the Kentucky Open Records Act. Mugshots are stored by law enforcement agencies and can be accessed online or by filing a request with the appropriate agency.

How To Search Inmate Records in Kentucky

Inmate records in Kentucky are publicly available. These records are maintained by the Department of Corrections and can be accessed using the online search service managed by the Kentucky DOC. The search can be performed by offender type, location, and conviction information.

How To Find Kentucky Criminal History Record for Free

Criminal history records, or RAP sheets, contain information about arrests, convictions, and prosecutions. In Kentucky, these records are publicly available and can be accessed through the Administrative Office of Courts. They can be obtained via the FastCheck portal, in person, or by mail. The FastCheck portal allows users to order criminal records and retrieve results online. Criminal history records include:

Court case information
Incarceration information
Parole information
Certificates
Search warrant information

Are Juvenile Criminal Records Publicly Available in Kentucky?

Juvenile criminal records document criminal activities committed by individuals not yet of legal adult age. These records are not publicly available. Juveniles are adjudicated delinquent rather than convicted of a crime. These records are stored by the juvenile court system and can be expunged upon petition once the individual reaches legal adult age.

How To Find Sex Offenders in Kentucky

Sex offender records in Kentucky document individuals convicted of sex crimes. These records are publicly available and maintained in the Kentucky sex offender registry. The registry can be searched by name and address, and it includes a map to track sex offenders in a neighborhood. The registry is managed by the Kentucky State Police.

Are Police Records Public Information in Kentucky?

Yes. Police records are classified as public records under the Kentucky Open Records Act. These records are stored by various law enforcement agencies and can be accessed by the public. Police records typically contain:

Name, address, gender, race, phone, age, height, weight, physical description
Fingerprints and mugshots
Details of charges, warrants, arrests, convictions, misdemeanors, and felonies
Incarcerations, bail, fines, bond, and sentencing

Kentucky Misdemeanor Laws: Types of Offenses and Punishments

Misdemeanors in Kentucky are non-indictable offenses considered less severe than felonies. They are punishable by up to 12 months in jail. Misdemeanors are classified as:

Class A: Punishable by 90 days to 12 months in jail and a fine up to $500
Class B: Punishable by up to 90 days in jail

Examples include burglary, violation of a restraining order, property theft under $500, public lewdness, unlawful possession of a weapon, criminal mischief, and criminal trespass.

Kentucky Criminal Laws: Offenses and Penalties Explained

Felony offenses in Kentucky are serious crimes punishable by more than one year in state prison or county jail. Felonies are classified as:

Capital offenses: Punishable by death, life without parole, 25 years to life, or 0 to 50 years’ imprisonment
Class A: Severe crimes with heavy penalties
Class B: Serious crimes with significant penalties
Class C: Moderate severity crimes
Class D: Lesser severity crimes

Overview of Kentucky DUI Laws

A DUI in Kentucky is a serious traffic violation involving driving under the influence of substances impairing driving ability. A driver with a BAC over 0.08 faces penalties including license suspension, fines, and possible jail time. First-time offenders face a $200 fine and four months of license suspension. Subsequent offenses carry stiffer penalties.

Are Kentucky Probation Records Public?

Probation records document when an individual receives probation instead of prison time. These records are publicly available and can be obtained by contacting the clerk of court at the courthouse where the judgment was given. Specific details of compliance with probation conditions remain closed to the public.

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Court Records Criminal Records Inmate Records Vital Records